FRI0629-HPR Long-Term QOL Evaluation with AIMS2 in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis – 4-Year Evaluation in Patients Receiving Treatment with Biologicals
Authors: M. Kaneko, S. Honjo
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2015)

<h3>Background</h3> According to the T2T recommendation published in 2010 [1], the primary target in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is to achieve the state of clinical remission, and the desired treatment target should be maintained throughout the remaining course of the disease. To date, reports have been published on cases where clinical remission was maintained with the use of biologicals, etc. but there have been few reports published on cases where QOL of the patients was maintained as well.On the other hand, we reported the successful maintenance of QOL in patients who maintained clinical remission or low disease activity with biologics, as evaluated with the use of AIMS2 (Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales version 2), which have been conducting by nurses at our clinic since 2011 [2,3] <h3>Objectives</h3> The present study was designed to evaluate whether or not QOL was maintained over the course of 4 years in patients with RA remaining in the state of clinical remission or low disease activity, using AIMS2 as a tool for QOL evaluation. <h3>Methods</h3> The subjects were RA patients who have been maintaining clinical remission or low disease activity through treatment with biologics at our clinic. A survey has been conducted since 2011 in this population, administering the AIMS2 questionnaire between the months of May and August each year. <h3>Results</h3> Cooperation with the investigation for the 4-year period was obtained from 81 patients with RA and the average age of them was 62.6.The biological preparations used were etanercept (27 cases), infliximab (18 cases), tocilizumab (14 cases), abatacept and adalimumab (8 cases respectively) and golimumab and certolizumab pegol (3 cases respectively). When we compared mean values for each item of AIMS2 on a year-by-year basis, we found no major variation in any of the items, confirming that QOL was maintained over the 4-year period. Above all, the score for pain, dexterity and arm function were improved for significant difference between the years 2011 and 2014. <h3>Conclusions</h3> The results of this investigation for 4 years allowed us to confirm that QOL was also maintained long-term in patients with RA in whom treatment with biologicals maintained the state of clinical remission or low disease activity for a long period of time. The score for pain in items of AIMS2 was improved for long times, which greatly contribute to the QOL maintenance of the patient with RA. And, it is connected for the construction of the relationship of mutual trust at the same time to get enough communication with a patient because nurses conduct AIMS2 investigation by giving them various information about treatment and the daily life. The role of the nurse in the team medical care becomes more and more important in future. <h3>References</h3> Josef S Smolen, et al. Ann Rheum Dis 2010;69:631 M Kaneko, et al. Ann Rheum Dis 2013;72:A359 M Kaneko, et al. Ann Rheum Dis 2014;73:1217 <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None declared